Project: Turn Peace Around

In 1958, Gerald Holtom designed what we know as the Peace Sign.

It was designed as a badge for the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament in the UK, and as a visual plea to end the atomic arms race that started with the devastating attack on Hiroshima during World War II.

When asked about it later, Gerald said: "I was in despair. Deep despair. I drew myself: the representative of an individual in despair, with hands palm outstretched outwards and downwards in the manner of Goya’s peasant before the firing squad. I formalised the drawing into a line and put a circle round it."

A man in despair.... Is that really the symbol we want to use to represent a positive thought like "peace"?

I've recently been inspired by this site, TurnPeaceAround, to spread the
positive message of turning the original peace sign around, so that the
'arms' face upward.
In ancient runes arms are raised up to receive. They are a symbol of life. When they are dropped down, they are a symbol of death.

It is because of this meaning of the current peace sign, along with my conviction that positive energy begets only more positive energy (thus a negative symbol will not bring positive change), that I have decided to do what I can to spread this message.

After all, we don’t want an “anti-war” symbol. We need a “pro-peace” symbol.

If you're still here thus far, humor me this.

Try being the symbol. It's not hard, I promise. You'll only look silly to those that don't get it.

Wherever you are, stand up. Stretch your arms out to the side, pointing downward. Now stay like that, 10 seconds even, and notice how you feel. Do you feel at peace within? Do you feel like smiling and spreading the good news? Probably not.

Shake it off, but stay standing.

Now try the same stance, but with your arms pointed upward, toward the sky, reaching toward divinity. Doesn't that bring a smile to your face? Don't you feel much more peaceful and happy this way? Exactly.

That's the idea.

A positive symbol brings positive energies, which in turn brings the positive change you've been looking for.

That's all I am trying to do.

As Gandhi said, "Be the change you wish to see in the world." And to do that, I am going to spread the word about turning peace around.

This exerpt was "borrowed" from dear friend Sunfire's blog. All of us here are Valhalla Soap Co. stand in support of Sunfire and the Turn Peace Around Project. We would be thrilled if you would join us. For more information on this Project, please visit these websites:

Turn Peace Around

iPeace

Peace,
Matt, Donna & the Tribe

New Soaping Technique - Funnel Soaping

So, one of the newest thing in techniques (new to me anyway), is called Funnel Soaping. It is a method by which you pour your thinly traced cold process soap into your mold through a funnel.

After you are done pouring it appears as the above photo, revealing a series of concentric circles. The end result should be something like these.



These are two batches of absolutes gorgeous funnel soaps made by Shawna of Body Luxe. Breath-taking!
Clearly she has had some practice.

Mine on the other hand, did not result in such a beautiful display of talent. Instead, this is what I got after cutting.



Such a disappointment this was for me. I'm told that it is difficult to get the same results as Shawna (concentric circles) from a log mould, which is what I use. And I'm told that first attempts quite often come out exactly like this. So, I will keep at it. And maybe try a few different kinds of moulds. I'm thinking maybe a deep round silicon cake pan since I don't have a slab mold. Now that might yield something interesting.

At any rate, you will see this batch on the website after it has finished drying. It will be listed under the Silk & Shea category - Moonbeams & Magick :)

Full Moon Madness Sale!!!

OUTRAGEOUS FULL MOON HOME FRAGRANCE SALE!!!

We're sick of snow! We're sick of cold! And tonight's a Full Moon!
It's ALL making us crazy!!! So we're having a sale to liven things up.

Save up to 50%

Ceramic Tart/Oil Diffusers 27% Off

7.5 oz Flint Jar Soy Candles 30% Off

6 oz Flint Jar Soy Candles 37% Off

Dents & Dings Soy Tarts Sale 50% Off


Many items have only 1 in stock so hurry and get them before they run out. First come first served. No Rain Checks. No Back Orders.

CLICK HERE TO SHOP NOW!